I was helping in my son’s classroom a while ago when I spotted a poster that reads, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can break my heart” and I started thinking… Teachers are such an important part of a child’s life. A teacher’s reinforcement determines how much risk a child will take in the classroom. A teacher’s love of his or her job and students determines a child’s motivation and attitude toward education.

And the effect that a teacher has on a child does not end when the school bell rings at the end of the day. Rather, those feelings go home with the child and, to a large extent, determine what sort of evening the child and his or her family have. All my children are fortunate to have remarkable and wonderful teachers. Consequently, the three of them love going to school almost as much as they love using teacherisms.

For example, one of Hannah’s favourite phrases is used when I mess up; she looks at me with understanding and says, “It’s okay to make mistakes, mama, because you’re only learning.” Rachael’s favourite phrase is used to preface most of her chores; with a glint in her eye, she says, “I’m just going to do my best, mama, because that’s all I can do!”

But perhaps my favourite is Jacob’s response to his sisters when one of them says something he doesn’t like. With his hand on his heart he says, “Don’t say that because words can break my heart.” —Motivateus.com